OPEC from a Game Theory perspective Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

OPEC from a Game Theory perspective - Term Paper Example The theory has its rules and game theorist uses them to predict equilibrium outcome. One of the world bodies that utilize game theory in its operation is OPEC. The study focuses to find the extent of game theory in OPEC and the effect of member’s and non member’s states on the strategies in production and market share. OPEC is an intergovernmental group formed by Venezuela, Kuwait and other countries in 1960. The organization aimed to seize the benefit of controlling the supply to maximize revenue of member states. The organization also aimed at stabilizing and bringing agreement in the marketplace of fuel to do good to both consumers and producers. This was a common strategy employed to try and influence the prices of crude oil. The idea of OPEC in the initial stages was to prevent the fall of prices after an all time high that enabled oil producing countries maximize on their utility. OPEC is referred to as a global cartel in the oil producing countries. Classical eco nomist present a condition that monopolist utilize to maximize profit, MC= P (1-1/e) given that P is the price of oil, e is the elasticity of demand and MC represent marginal cost of oil production. Economist hint that oil price are inelastic in the short run, and OPEC can increase above the market price. (Source: Dye 2) Supposing that there are two firms in a cartel, the maximizing price would be where marginal cost 1 = marginal cost 2 = marginal revenue. The maximizing price would be where the two marginal costs meet marginal revenue. OPEC member’s state has a reserve of 79.3% of the world crude oil and was producing 63% of the global oil export in 2009. OPEC does not use market force s for marginal revenue and marginal cost to determine equilibrium price. Free market would result with some countries producing none while others benefiting so much to the extent of controlling production. For example, Saudi Arabia could benefit more than the rest of the country because it has vast oil reserves and therefore it can afford to increase production at a lower price. Therefore, free competitive market is not possible in the oil production industry and it explains the reason behind forming a cartel (Gambits 3). In order to maximize utility, OPEC considered strategies to control production through quotas system. Every nation state produces a certain percentage of production capacity. However, the challenges facing OPEC is on determining the actual or the maximizing quota that each member’s state produces. The solution to these challenges lies on game theory (Gately 1). The OPEC members have a duty to have the same opinion on a strategy to restrict output such that prices are prolonged at a high level. Nevertheless, some scholars like Friedman argued that Arab countries cartel on oil production would collapse because high prices of petroleum are not sustainable even if the output is put to zero. OPEC, unlike other bodies, is exceptional. The decisions agr eed upon are of decisive to every member and failure to adhere has dire consequences. This strength of OPEC has ensured the sustainability of world prices today and will sustain even in the future. According to Osborne cartels faces inherent problem of cheating, and determining quotas and it is wrong to classify them as stable. Gately (3) says that the OPEC as a cartel is maintained at Nash equilibrium. At Nash equilibrium, every country

Pair-wise Sequencing Alignment Math Problem Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Pair-wise Sequencing Alignment - Math Problem Example Answer = 0.0 1.e. Are there any other results having the same E-value? If so, how many? Answer = Yes, 19others 1.f. What is the Max score for the top BLASTN search result? Answer = 4693 1.g. What is the Total score for the top BLASTN search result? Answer = 4693 1.h. What is the Query coverage for the top BLASTN search result? Answer = 100% 1.i What is the Max ident for the top BLASTN search result? Answer = 100% 1.j Are there any other results compared to the top BLASTN search result that have the same E-value, same Max score, same Query coverage, same Max ident, same Total score? If so, how many? Answer = Yes, 1 other 2. Using the sequence provided at the bottom of this document, Perform BLASTX using Database option set to "Reference proteins (refseq_protein)". Keep all other settings and parameters at the default value. 2.a. How many Blast Hits do you get for the sequence? Answer = 1 2.b. What is the sequence most similar to? Provide the Sequence Accession as your answer. Answer = XP_003433170.1 2.c. ... Answer = 58% 2.g. When you inspect the first alignment for the top BLASTX search result, what is the % Gap listed? Answer = 6% 2.h. When you inspect the first alignment for the top BLASTX search result, what is the Frame indicated? Answer = -1 Sequence to use: >

MGMT305 U5 IP Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MGMT305 U5 IP - Research Paper Example Management Information Systems are very distinct from other types of information systems because of their ability to analyze data I order to facilitate both operational and strategic activities in an organization. Different organizations use Management Information Systems differently according to the type of the organization, its industry and its objectives. There are also different types of management information systems serving different purposes at different levels of organizational structure. The various categories of management information systems include Decision Support Systems (DSS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Project Management among others. Management Information Systems have five main components namely software, hardware, data, procedures and the people who use the systems(Bidgoli, 2004). The first organization is Starlet Marketing, a privately owned marketing agency dealing with internet and social media marketing for its clients. The main objective of Starlet Marketing is to enable its clients to boost their sales. Being an internet company, the firm heavily relies on technology to manage its affairs. In this regard, the organization has enhanced its operations by using management Information systems. This organization mainly relies on the systems to manage its inventory and sales and customer relationship management. The systems collect, store and analyze sales and inventory data to enable the management to make appropriate decisions to boost the forms activities. The other organization is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is a government organization charged with collecting taxes on behalf of the government. The IRS is one of the largest government organizations managing a very huge client base. The use of Information technology is very vital in ensuring the organization meets its objectives. The IRS therefore mainly relies on Management Information Systems to manage its

Project Communication Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Project Communication - Term Paper Example The first thing we can do is pair people into groups of four, two of each. This lets each person feel they have someone who understands them while having to work with two who are coming from a different place. Second, when were doing user group instruction or teaching, we should again have paired elements. The introverted person can handle some of the electronic communication, while the extroverted person can do some of the speaking portion, but both should be involved at each step. When an introverted developer gets a chance to answer a question about how his programming works, his area of expertise, hell come out of his shell quickly more often than not. Finally, we should use a message board and a wiki. This not only lets us keep up in real time with our user group, but it also lets the introverted people have a chance to discuss in a forum that lets them apply their thinking

College is Worth it in the End Essay Example for Free

College is Worth it in the End Essay Right now in our century, a college education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Many college students at universities around the world all have one big question when entering into their next step of education. A college student’s biggest problem when entering school is whether or not their college degree is worth going into debt and how they will afford tuition, books, activity fees, etc. There are different opinions from both sides that contain a valid argument. I believe college is definitely worth possibly going into debt. Here are some statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS announced in 2011 that the unemployment rate for people with college credits but no degree was eight point seven percent. That number plummeted to four point nine percent for people who earned a bachelor’s degree and three point six percent for those with a master’s degree. There are salary benefits as well. In that same year, those who did not finish college earned seven hundred nineteen dollars per week, while college graduates earned approximately one thousand fifty-three dollars per week and those with graduate degrees earned one thousand two hundred and sixty-three dollars per week. A growing number of students suffer soaring college debt, many questions are being raised about the value of higher education and the job offerings in a struggling economy (BLS.) The main reason why people go to college is not because they want to but because they have to. Nowadays it is hard to get a decent paying job without a college degree. Going to college and getting a degree does not necessarily guarantee that a student is going to get a job right after graduation. A student needs to get a job as soon as possible after graduating to pay back all student loans and debts. The main question asked today is, â€Å"Is College really worth going into debt?† Kaycie Sonnier a freshman says, â€Å"It really depends on if you are going to college for a high paying career choice.† It is not that some majors are worthless, but that students have to face the reality of how they are going to pay back the money they have borrowed for their education. Many students enter college without knowing what degree they want to major in. Sonnier believes college is worth the debt you may possibly fall under. She believes there are rewards for going to college and finishing with a degree. Being able to get a high paying job right out of college will help pay off any loans taken out (Sonnier.) Student loans have helped many students be able to experience the college life without having to pay up front for tuition. To a large extent, debt is unavoidable, and some students graduate with some amount of it. Students like Joshua Sonnier who only completed two semesters of college says, â€Å"Hell no college is not worth going into debt.† Sonnier had the opportunity to get on at a job that did not require a college degree. â€Å"I work as a train conductor making more money than most people who do go to college. I got hired on and immediately started taking classes that my company paid for, passed my entire test and became a certified conductor. This did not cost me any money out of my pocket, and I do not have to worry about paying back any type of student loans† (Sonnier.) Some individuals feel like college is just a waste of money and time. There are definitely pros and cons when it comes to college. I think college can either be some of the best years of one’s life or it can be an absolute nightmare. College is all about how you make it. In the end having a diploma will absolutely be worth the debt that may come along throughout your journey through college. Works Cited Home page. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012. Web. 14 February 2013. Sonnier, Joshua. Personal Interview. 6 February 2013. Sonnier, Kaycie. Personal Interview. 6 February 2013.

The Equal Opportunity In Education Education Essay

The Equal Opportunity In Education Education Essay Thesis Statement: The most challenging issue in Indonesia now is equality opportunity in education, especially for Indigenous People. There is the complicate problem which is faced by government to provide Indigenous People with the equal opportunity in education. Furthermore, Government has obligations to make education available, accessible, acceptable, and adaptable. Although Government has allocated 20% budgetary as stated on Constitution to improve both quality and quantity of education for people, Indigenous People can not access it properly. The consequence is that indigenous people has difficulty to take a part of development country generally. 2. Body Indigenous people are inclusive of original tribe in Indonesia. Base on statistic, the amount of them is estimated around 2 million. Detached tribe or indigenous people will be the complex social problem in global development change while at the same time of they are urged progressively because of the alteration forest function effect; in this situation they are forced to make contact directly with the governmental and common society. Actually, Government believe that indigenous people are potential society for the aims of integration nation and development, so that is required to develop them properly, such as the equal opportunity in education. 2.1. Migrating Behaviour 2.1.1. The indigenous people are backwardness society whom live in isolated place and move from place to place in small group (Sirimorok, 2008). 2.2. Motivation of Indigenous People to Study 2.2.1. Indigenous people desired knowledge, but failed to realize their goals because their nomadic life in the forest limits opportunities for education, furthermore in order to help their parents with traditional duties (Arizal, 2008). 2.3. Villagers Perspective of Indigenous People 2.3.1. Custom community is often viewed Indigenous People as uncivilized and wild society (Napitupulu, 2009). 2.4. The Government Strategy to Support Indigenous People Obtaining the Equal Opportunity in Education 2.4.1. The Education System based on Local Wisdom The local wisdom education is an education method being based on contiguity of experience (Dunia Anak Rimba, 2009). 3. Conclusion Government have to conduct the system education based on indigenous people requirement and local wisdom. It will involve them to participate in development and encourage maintaining the culture and tradition as State asset of indigenous people. 4. Bibliography Arizal, J. (2008, Oct 10). Jambis Kubu Tribes People Hope for Positive Change Through Education. Retrieved from http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/10/15/jambi039s-kubu-tribespeople-hope-positive-change-education.html. Dunia Anak Rimba. (2009). Sekilas Sekolah Rimba (In a Flash of Jungle School). Retrieved from http://perpustakaanrimba.wordpress.com. Napitupulu, E., L. (2009, August 11). Sistem Pendidikan Nasional Tidak Menghargai Hak Anak-anak Suku Terasing (National Education System is never Esteem Indigenous Children Rights). Retrieved from http://www.tribunpekanbaru.com. Prasetijo (2009). Paradigma Pemerintah dari Masyarakat Terasing ke Komunitas Adat Terpencil (Governmental Paradigm from Detached Society to Cloistered Custom Community). Retrieved from http://prasetijo.wordpress.com. Sirimorok, N. (2008, Sept 08). Mansur Samin, The Predecessor of Andrea Hirata. Retrieved from http://www.panyingkul.com/view.php?id=958jenis=kabarkita.

Food Safety And Security In India Environmental Sciences Essay

Food Safety And Security In India Environmental Sciences Essay Food safety is a growing concern globally. With the innovations in the processing technologies, packaging techniques, agricultural practices, and change in food habits, industry and enforcement authorities are facing new challenges every day. Currently there are more than twenty Indian laws relating to food, which are administered by a number of different Ministries and Departments. Food processors have to comply with these rules. Among the more important food laws are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) of 1954 and the PFA Rules of 1955. Covers specifications related to food colour, preservatives, pesticide residues, packaging and labelling, and regulation of sales. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976, and the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rule, 1977. Designed to establish fair trade practices with respect to packaged commodities. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The Fruit Products Order, 1955. Specifications and quality control requirements regarding the production and marketing of processed fruits and vegetables, sweetened aerated water, vinegar, and synthetic syrups. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Meat Food Products Order, 1992. Administers the permissible quantity of heavy metals, preservatives, and insecticide residues for meat products. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992. Regulates the production, distribution, and supply of milk products; establishes sanitary requirements for dairies, machinery, and premises; and sets quality control standards for milk and milk products. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. In August 2006, Government of India has passed a new legislation Food Safety and Standards Act. 9.2 Food safety standards Temperature control should be maintained in Raw and cooked meat, poultry and meat products, Dairy products and foods containing dairy products, Seafood, Processed fruits and vegetables, Cooked rice and pasta, Processed foods containing eggs, beans, nuts and other protein-rich foods, foods that contain any of the above foods eg sandwiches and custard and cream filled baked goods. Generally the Standards require that potentially hazardous food is kept under temperature control which means below 5 °C and above 60 °C. Businesses need to limit the amount of time that potentially hazardous foods are kept in the danger zone à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ temperatures between 5 °C and 60 °C. Food storage During storage you must make sure that the safety and suitability of the food is kept. This means that Food must be protected from contamination; Food must be stored under correct environmental conditions e.g. lighting and humidity; Potentially hazardous food must be stored under correct temperature. (below 5 °C and above 60 °C or frozen). Food processing Only safe and suitable food is processed; Food must be protected from contamination; There are no organisms present that can cause illness when the food is ready to eat. Some processing steps have clear requirements for example: Cooking Cooling Thawing Reheating Food display Food must be protected from contamination, for example barriers, covering ready to eat foods such as cakes and muffins that are on counters and supervision. That potentially hazardous food is either kept under temperature control or time is used as the control to keep the food safe. If less than 2 hours the food must either be refrigerated or used immediately; For longer than 2 hours, but less than 4 hours, must be used immediately ; For a total of 4 hours or longer, must be thrown out. If using the 2 hour/4 hour rule the business must be able to provide evidence of the times, eg tags with times marked. Food packaging The packaging material used is safe for food; the packaging material used is not likely to contaminate the food; the food is not contaminated during the packaging process. Food transportation Businesses must make sure that food being transported is protected from contamination; and that Potentially hazardous food must be transported at the correct temperature. ( 60 °C or frozen) Health and Hygiene requirements inform the food handlers about their health and hygiene responsibilities; make sure that the food handlers do not handle food if they are unwell with an illness such as gastro, or other illnesses that can be passed on through food; provide sufficient hand washing facilities, refer to Food Safety Standards Premises and Equipment fact sheet; make sure that food handlers on the premises do not contaminate food. Food Handlers Requirements: Food handlers must do everything they can to make sure that they do not contaminate food. They must wash their hands with soap and running warm water in the hand wash basin provided and then dry them using either a paper towel or air drier. Hand washing before handling food must be done regularly and whenever there might be the risk of contaminating food. They must not behave in any way that could cause contamination of food, for example smoking in food handling areas. Food handlers must inform their supervisor if they are suffering from; diarrhoea, vomiting, a sore throat with fever, fever or jaundice, any infected skin wound or discharges from their ears, nose, or eyes as these conditions could contaminate food. Cleaning, Sanitising and Maintenance Food contact surfaces, ie- chopping boards and preparation benches, must be cleaned and sanitised regularly or in between tasks to make sure that contamination of food does not occur. This also applies to the eating and drinking utensils. Sanitising can be achieved by; using hot water (77 °C at least), using a food grade sanitiser or diluted bleach. The premises, fittings and equipment must be kept clean and in a state of good repair. Chipped, cracked or broken utensils must not be used. Garbage must not be left to build up and must be removed regularly. Food Security The broader reasons for food insecurity are many: war, poverty, population growth, environmental degradation, limited agricultural technology, ineffective policies, and disease. Natural resources base like land, water, forest and the bio-diversity being the foundations for the both food security and environmental sustainability has been irreversibly damaged owing to the increasing food demand and consequently food insecurity. 9.3 Food Standards Safety measures for Select food products: Dairy products: As far as microbiological criteria is concerned, Indian standards for dairy products are elaborate. E,g ghee, butter, skimmed milk. The possibility of contamination from heavy metals should be checked and incorporated. Also, the products which are prepared from milk, should address to pesticide residue levels, and veterinary drug contamination e.g. yoghurt and weaning food. Poultry products: Indian standards for shelled eggs are comparable to international standards. The Indian standards for chicken meat and poultry meat should address the requirements for heavy metal contamination. Meat Products: Indian standards are available for boneless meat of Bovine which takes care of microbiological contamination is silent of heavy metals. There are no specifications available for sheep meat and goat meat in India, whereas other countries have identified the heavy metal contamination. Sea foods: Mercury contamination in sea foods is a major concern internationally which has not been addressed in Indian standards .Microbiological characteristics should also be addressed. Agricultural Products: The possibility of aflatoxin content in agricultural products has been addressed in the Indian standards but is silent on heavy metals (lead, cadmium and arsenic). Majority of the codex standards compared talk about lead contamination. The standards are comparable as far as honey is concerned. Milling products: Codex standards on whole-wheat flour consider the possible contamination from heavy meats and microbes where as Indian standards give requirements for physical hazards like rodent hair etc. Edible Oils: Specifications on all types of oils as under codex consider the heavy metal contamination where as Indian standards are not addressing the same. For parameters such as peroxide value, which relates to the rancid condition of oils, Indian standards do not give quantitative specifications. Indian standards should be reviewed to such effects in the interest of public health. Fruits and vegetables: Fresh fruits: Majority of the countries has identified the allowances level for physical impurities, defects and physical contaminations. Some of the countries have given the requirement for metals with Indian additionally following the heavy metals and pesticides specification of codex. Dry fruits: Majority of the countries has identified the specifications for physical impurities and physical contaminants and physical defects. Codex has additionally identified the specifications for heavy metals. Processed fruits and vegetables: Heavy metals limits are clearly identified in Malaysian standards but PFA standards for the above mentioned products are limited to compositional requirements and physical characteristics. USA has clearly described the physical defects in case of jams, squash and jellies etc. Pickle is an item of mass consumption all over India and has various category of ingredients in it. The PFA standards refer to microbiological contamination. The heavy metal contamination is addressed only in qualitative terms where it should have addressed to the heavy metal contamination such as lead, arsenic and cadmium etc in quantitative terms. Food safety checklist includes different aspects under the following heads: Personal hygiene Food Preparation Hot holding Cold holding Refrigerator, Freezer cooler Food Storage Dry Storage Cleaning sanitizing Utensils equipment Garbage storage and disposal Pest control Notes The installation of ISO: 14000, ISO 22000 Quality Management Systems and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) based food safety system is extremely desirable in view of the changing scenario in the international trade. Ministry of Food Processing Industries is operating a Plan Scheme to motivate the food processing industries for adoption / implementation of food safety and quality assurance mechanisms such as Total Quality Management (TQM)including ISO, ISO 14000, ISO 22000, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and prepare them to face the global competition in international trade in post WTO era. (Ministry of op Annual Report 2008-09) Unprocessed foods are susceptible to spoilage by biochemical processes, microbial attack and infestation. The right post harvest practices such as good processing techniques, and proper packaging, transportation and storage (of even processed foods) can play a significant role in reducing spoilage and extending shelf life. Sources: Food Security-Agricultural Bio Diversity (Yamini Gurani) Food safety standards ( www.foodstandards.gov.au) Comprehensive study of food regulations and standards, food testing, CODEX resource system Report by TUV South Asia Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai